Miami Dolphins are searching for impact players in the 2012 draft

New coach Joe Philbin and his staff have had some influence on General Manager Jeff Ireland's blueprint of an ideal draft prospect

April 25, 2012|By Omar Kelly, Sun Sentinel

DAVIE — Miami Dolphins General Manager Jeff Ireland grew up in an NFL facility, and absorbed the football knowledge inside it, routinely listening to words of wisdom from his grandfather, Jim Parmer, a former NFL executive.

From Parmer Ireland learned the "makeup" of what makes good NFL players, and that prototype was reinforced by his mentor, Bill Parcells, the Dolphins former football czar.

Ireland's gone into every draft with a plan he's executed using that recipe. This year, his second as the primary individual in charge of the Dolphins' draft, he's being asked to make a different dish.

Ireland must alter the type of player he's looking for to fit the west coast offense, and build a 4-3 based defense Joe Philbin's Dolphins will use.

According to Philbin, coaches tend to "fall in love" with prospects too quickly, and don't take a broad enough view of the draft process. That's why he admits he's a passenger during the next three days, as Ireland makes selections.

"That is more his area of expertise," Philbin said. "He's been very willing [to] listen to our staff and myself. We'll offer opinions, but at the end of the day, that is really his area of expertise. He is not out here telling me what plays to run, or what periods to have, or how long they should be."

Over the past four months philosophies have been blended. Or, at least that's the hope.

Philbin and his coaching staff have worked with Ireland and his staff of scouts to marry the two approaches, instructing them of the skill sets the coaches seek.

They prefer quickness over power and size.

They want interchangeable pieces instead of specialists.

"They valued a bigger, 345-pound offensive lineman, where we really didn't play with a whole lot of those guys in Green Bay. We maybe more interested in a 315-pounder that moved a little faster," Philbin said.

"Maybe [the O-lineman] didn't get the push that the [smaller] guy did. It's been helpful to get everyone on the same page. We can kind of share with the scouting staff from a schematic standpoint."

Most years Ireland goes into the draft with a game plan, and is diligent about executing it.

In 2008 the Dolphins fortified the offense and defensive lines by selecting Pro Bowl left tackle Jake Long and five other linemen.

In 2010, Parcells' last year in the draft room, the Dolphins preferred quantity over quality, and made a number of trades to pick up extra picks.

Last season Ireland's goal was to infuse more speed onto the roster, creating favorable matchups. Three players drafted — center Mike Pouncey, receiver Clyde Gates and fullback Charles Clay — were the fastest in the draft at their given positions, and the Dolphins traded for running back Reggie Bush.

This year Miami must add more pass rushers, receivers and offensive linemen, and add a quarterback to be developed. All that's left is discovering the approach Ireland will take, and the influences Philbin and his staff have made.

"You're looking for guys that can make an impact and certain guys that can block premier pass rushers and guys that can make big plays down the field. Create big plays on defense," Ireland said.